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Study, 2023

Does personality type affect premenstrual syndrome and health behaviors?

Women with Type D personality had higher PMS symptoms than other women, and also showed differences in health behaviors, especially stress management.

Moderate study design 184 female college students in Korea

What they did

Researchers surveyed 184 female college students in Korea using questionnaires about personality type, health behaviors, and PMS symptoms.

What they found

Among the students, 61 (33%) had Type D personality. Women with Type D personality had higher PMS symptoms compared to non-Type D women. They also differed in regular eating habits, menstrual pain levels, and visiting hospitals for menstrual problems. Stress management showed a significant difference between groups. Higher Type D personality scores were linked with higher PMS. Better health behaviors were linked with lower PMS.

What it means for you

Women with Type D personality (emotionally negative and socially withdrawn) may be at higher risk for PMS and may especially benefit from stress management support. The link shown here does not prove that personality causes PMS, since this is a survey that only measures associations. The study was limited to college students in Korea.

184

female college students surveyed

61

students with Type D personality

33%

percentage with Type D personality

About the study

Original title
Health Behaviors and Premenstrual Syndrome in Female College Students based on Type D Personality
Authors
Jung-Eun Shin, H.C. Kim
Journal
Journal of the Korea Entertainment Industry Association
Year
2023
Study design
Study
What was tested
Survey study only - no intervention tested

Topics